Israeli Researcher Develops Potential Drug for Alzheimer's and Depression

Professor Orly Lazarov, head of the Alzheimer's research lab at the University of Illinois Chicago, is pioneering research into a potential treatment that could address both Alzheimer's disease and depression. Her work focuses on neurogenesis, the creation of new neurons in the brain, particularly in the hippocampus, an area crucial for memory formation. Lazarov's research suggests that stimulating neurogenesis and altering the molecular profile of new neurons could offer a dual therapeutic approach.

Lazarov's findings indicate that individuals with exceptional memory, known as "super-agers," exhibit higher rates of neurogenesis in the hippocampus compared to the general population. Conversely, Alzheimer's patients show a significant decrease in this neural regeneration. Her lab is currently cultivating new neurons in vitro to understand the characteristics that protect against Alzheimer's and why their activity declines in the disease.

Furthermore, Lazarov posits a strong link between depression and Alzheimer's, noting that depression is a known risk factor for Alzheimer's, and the disease often presents with depressive symptoms. She believes that enhancing neurogenesis and mimicking the neural profile of cognitively healthy individuals could simultaneously combat dementia, depression, and anxiety. Early-stage development of a drug targeting these mechanisms has shown promising results in organoids and animal models.

Beyond neurogenesis, Lazarov is investigating the connection between Alzheimer's and Type 2 diabetes, identifying proteins in the bloodstream that regulate insulin transfer to the brain and influence both insulin and amyloid-beta metabolism. She also points to Down syndrome as a critical area for Alzheimer's research, as individuals with the condition have a very high risk of early-onset Alzheimer's due to their genetic predisposition to producing amyloid precursor protein.

Lazarov expresses skepticism about current Alzheimer's drugs that target beta-amyloid, suggesting that the precursor protein and its various metabolites might be more significant factors. She advocates for more creative and open-minded approaches to developing treatments. Her lab is also working on a method to measure neurogenesis in living humans, which could accelerate drug development.